‘Go On’ canceled by NBC; what does this mean for ‘The New Normal,’ ‘Community’?

Prior to this week, network programming head Robert Greenblatt must have dug an extremely deep plot to bury some of his shows. In addition to “Animal Practice,” “Do No Harm,” and “Deception,” the likes of “Whitney,” “Guys with Kids,” “1600 Penn,” and “Up All Night” have all joined the fold. Now, the newest edition is a surprising one with Matthew Perry’s “Go On.” The show was the network’s top-rated comedy for most of the fall, but it quickly proved what happens in January when you don’t have “The Voice” as a lead-in. The numbers crawled back when the singing-show returned, but even still, the only real explanation that we can think of here is this: Perry must be making a ton of money to do this show (not that he needs it because of his mad “Friends” cash), and they decided not to pay him what he wanted.

With this move, the network has put themselves in a position that is simultaneously frightening and exciting. There are only two comedies left who are awaiting their fate for next season, and they are the two with the most-passionate followings: “Community” and “The New Normal.” It would feel very strange if the latter is picked up, mostly because it aired after “Go On” and the ratings were even worse all season long, however, it does have a big name attached to it in Ryan Murphy.

Meanwhile, “Community” has consistently been a show at the center of cancellation rumors since the very beginning. We still think that if it is canceled, NBC is building themselves a bomb shelter before they announce it, but we personally believe that the lack comedy renewals right now means good things for both this series and “The New Normal,” since they cannot launch “Parks and Recreation” season 6 with a flurry of new shows all around it.